{{Short description|Dance school in Sydney, AUS}} {{use Australian English|date=December 2013}} {{Infobox university | established = {{Start date and age|1986}} | director = Lucas Newland | dean = | academic_staff = | administrative_staff = | undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | alumni = | address = Building 101/122 Lang Rd, Moore Park | city = Sydney | state = New South Wales | website = https://brentstreet.com.au }}'''Brent Street Studios''' (colloquially known as '''Brent Street''') is an Australian independent tertiary education provider specialising in the performing arts. Based in Sydney, Brent Street operates out of the Entertainment Quarter at Fox Studios. Brent Street offers full-time courses, as well as recreational and elite programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Brent Street |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/about/about-brent-street/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
Brent Street also offers a specialised Academy Program (Brent Street Academy, BSA). This functions as a performing arts high school equivalent for students interested in excelling in elite dance and performing arts. This program runs from years 7-12, and offers a Certificate IV in Dance for students in years 11-12.
== History == Brent Street was founded in 1986 by Jacqui, Karen, and Marianne Howard, originally located at 'Brent Street', Drummoyne, Sydney. Due to class size demands, the studio then moved to a larger premises in Rozelle, then to Camperdown. The studio was then based at Waterloo until 2007, when they finally settled at Fox Studios.{{cn|date=November 2025}} In 2015, Lucas Newland took over the company, and has been the owner and artistic director ever since.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Our Team |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/about/our-team/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
Brent Street's creative team have founded two agencies that they work closely with, namely Focus Talent Management, and Brent Street Agency. The latter is a children's agency that represents actors, singers, and dancers. Focus Talent is the studios adult agency who represents four key divisions; actors, dancers, musical theatre and creatives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://focustalentmanagement.com/about/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Focus Talent Management |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://brentstreetagency.com/about-us/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street Agency |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-11-14 |title=We chat to Lucas Newland about American Idiot and the upcoming Focus Talent Management Auditions {{!}} News |url=https://www.aussietheatre.com.au/news/chat-lucas-newland-american-idiot-upcoming-focus-talent-management-auditions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629131514/https://www.aussietheatre.com.au/news/chat-lucas-newland-american-idiot-upcoming-focus-talent-management-auditions |archive-date=2022-06-29 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=AussieTheatre.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, Brent Street participated in the 19th season of America's Got Talent and won a golden buzzer in their audition from Howie Mandel. This progressed the dance troupe to the live rounds, where they ended as a finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Brent Street Dance Group's Perfectly In-Sync Moves Will Leave You in Awe (WATCH) |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/agt-watch-brent-street-dance-group-live-quarterfinals-season-19 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=NBC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Australia’s BRENT STREET Dance Troupe WINS Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent 2024! |url=https://www.themusicman.uk/brent-street-dance-troupe/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=The Music Man |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=2024-06-26 |title=Dance Act Brent Street Blow Away the Judges on ‘AGT’: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/brent-street-blow-away-judges-agt-1235718171/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Paulette |date=2024-06-26 |title=See the 'AGT' Golden Buzzer Act That Won Over the Judges With Their Bodies and Their Brains |url=https://parade.com/tv/americas-got-talent-season-19-brent-street-golden-buzzer |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=Parade |language=en}}</ref>
== Courses == Brent Street is a Registered Training Organisation<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Training Register |url=https://training.gov.au/organisation/details/91488/qualifications |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=training.gov.au}}</ref> that offers accredited dance and performing arts courses. The courses offered include full-time Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Performing Arts courses. Both the contemporary and performing arts course offer an Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) upon completion, while the musical theatre course offers a Diploma of Musical Theatre upon finishing the course.
The contemporary course involves the practice of internationally recognised techniques such as: Graham, Horton, release technique, partner work, floorwork, and tumbling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contemporary - Full Time |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/classes-training/full-time-courses/contemporary/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
The musical theatre course offers education in: classical ballet and jazz, jazz technique, theatre jazz, tap, acting, ballet, voice work, ensemble singing, and workshops with industry professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Musical Theatre - Full Time |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/classes-training/full-time-courses/musical-theatre/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
The performing arts course students take classes in: jazz, commercial jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, classical ballet, tap, latin, heels, fitness, conditioning, technique, singing and acting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Performing Arts - Full Time |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/classes-training/full-time-courses/performing-arts/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
Brent Street also offers a part-time program for children aged 2-6, and a recreational program for students aged between 7-16.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Part Time Programs |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/classes-training/part-time-programs/about/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
The Academy Program students are offered further training outside of typical school in the form of a Performance Training Program (PTP) and is included in Academy tuition. It also offers regular ATAR and HSC senior subjects alongside performing arts training.
Brent Street is partnered with SocietyOne to offer student loans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academy (Years 7-12) |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/classes-training/full-time-courses/academy/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Dance Life (2024-) == Dance Life is an unscripted docuseries that follows 10 dancers from the Brent Street full-time class of 2022 as they navigate their final year with the academy, and follows their journey up to their graduation performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dance Life |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/community/dancelife/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref> Dance Life was released originally on Amazon Prime Video in January of 2024, and then was additionally released on ABC iview. The class of 2022 were all interviewed and auditioned for a chance to be on the show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2024-02-06 |title=‘Dance Life’: A front row seat to Brent Street |url=https://dancemagazine.com.au/2024/02/dance-life-a-front-row-seat-to-brent-street/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Dance Informa Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> There are five episodes in season one, all directed by Luke Cornish. All five episodes received ratings between 9.2-9.6 out of 10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dance Life: Season 1 {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dance_life/s01 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22694250/episodes/?season=1 |title=Dance Life (TV Series 2024– ) - Episode list - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-09-12 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>
In 2025, it was announced that there would be a second season being filmed with 10 dancers set to graduate in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/dancelifeseries/reel/DOS5R7GjY5V/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
== Alumni == Notable alumni include:
* Charlotte Best - Logie nominated actress known for Puberty Blues and Home and Away.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bindi Irwin wins Logie {{!}} News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au:80/breaking-news/national/bindi-irwin-wins-logie/story-e6frfku9-1111116245336 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511074110/http://www.news.com.au:80/breaking-news/national/bindi-irwin-wins-logie/story-e6frfku9-1111116245336 |archive-date=2010-05-11 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.news.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-01 |title=Top cast joins Puberty Blues on TEN TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/04/top-cast-joins-puberty-blues-on-ten.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=tvtonight.com |language=en-AU}}</ref> * Jordan Rodrigues - Emmy nominated actor known for Dance Academy, Light as a Feather, The Fosters, and The Lion King.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Actor dreams of home now, away later |url=http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/actor-dreams-of-home-now-away-later/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921025243/http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/actor-dreams-of-home-now-away-later/ |archive-date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=Where I Live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=2020-05-21 |title=Daytime Emmy Nominations: ‘General Hospital’, ‘Sesame Street’, ‘The View’ Top List; CBS, Amazon Prime Lead Networks |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/daytime-emmy-nominations-2020-list-of-nomineesospital-sesame-street-the-view-top-list-cbs-amazon-prime-lead-networks-1202940564/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-05-25 |title=About the Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s2625286.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022101536/http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s2625286.htm |archive-date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en}}</ref> * Ashleigh Cummings - Multi award winning actress known for Tomorrow, When the War Began, Puberty Blues, and Hounds of Love.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 |url=https://www.festivaldesantipodes.com/index.php/en/22-all/english-uk/older/334-2014 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.festivaldesantipodes.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-09 |title=The Venice Days Award goes to The War Show |url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/315245/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Cineuropa - the best of european cinema |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sams |first=Christine |date=2012-08-11 |title=Blues sisters shine |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/blues-sisters-shine-20120809-23v6q.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> * Christopher Horsey - Award winning choreographer and actor known for Swing on This, and his choreography for various tap shows and musical performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kiss Me, Kate {{!}} Stage Whispers |url=https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/kiss-me-kate-1 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.stagewhispers.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-18 |title=Australian Dance Awards 2017 longlist » Ausdance {{!}} Dance Advocacy |url=https://ausdance.org.au/news/article/australian-dance-awards-2017-longlist |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Ausdance |language=en}}</ref> * Renee Bargh - Former Girlband member and entertainment reporter, known for Dancing with the Stars and hosting The Voice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=team |first=New Idea |date=2020-01-24 |title=Renee Bargh will co host The Voice alongside Darren McMullen |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/celebrity/renee-bargh-will-co-host-the-voice-alongside-darren-mcmullen/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=New Idea |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aussie Renee Bargh Hits the SAG Awards Red Carpet! |url=http://www.popsugar.com.au/Extra-Host-Renee-Bargh-2011-SAG-Awards-Red-Carpet-13555176 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724063948/http://www.popsugar.com.au/Extra-Host-Renee-Bargh-2011-SAG-Awards-Red-Carpet-13555176 |archive-date=2011-07-24 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=PopSugar Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> * Sharni Vinson - Actress known for Patrick, Home and Away, and Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Australian starlet Sharni Vinson swaps fantasy for thriller in Patrick |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/aussie-starlet-vinson-a-hit-in-hollywood/story-e6frfmvr-1226520616779 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226193323/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/aussie-starlet-vinson-a-hit-in-hollywood/story-e6frfmvr-1226520616779 |archive-date=2015-02-26 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=NewsComAu |language=en}}</ref> * Cheree Cassidy - AFI nominated actress known for Underbelly, The Time of Our Lives, and Home and Away.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-11 |title=It's a mag world |url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/its-a-mag-world-ng-ya-173569 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}</ref> * Michael Dameski - Dancer known for his appearance in Lady Gaga's 'Abracadabra' music video, World of Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, and his lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Client Challenge |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/142675/michael-dameski-and-jake-evan-schwencke-are-billy-elliots-newest-billy-and-michael/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.broadway.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Стевовска |first=Катерина |date=2025-02-06 |title=PHOTO + VIDEO {{!}} True pride: Macedonian gets the lead role in Lady Gaga's new music video - Sloboden Pechat |url=https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/en/fotovideo-vistinska-gordost-makedonec-ja-dobi-glavnata-uloga-vo-noviot-spot-na-lejdi-gaga/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Слободен печат |language=en}}</ref> * Tanika Anderson - Actress known for Hi-5 as well as the Australian touring shows of Frozen and Beauty and the Beast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Frozen’s Hills Link |url=https://hillstohawkesbury.com.au/frozens-hills-link/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en}}</ref> '''Brent Street has also produced members of the following bands:''' * Sister2Sister - ARIA award winning duo who have performed with Delta Goodrem.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ARIA Awards |url=https://www.aria.com.au/awards/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.aria.com.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Accreditations - ARIA |url=https://www.aria.com.au/accreditations |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.aria.com.au |language=en}}</ref> * Girlband - Pop band who supported Rogue Traders on tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girlband Fashion Range |url=https://www.girl.com.au/girlband-fashion-range.htm |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.girl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
== Staff == Notable staff of the institution have included:<ref name=":0" />
* Lucas Newland - Choreographer known for his work on American Idiot, Home and Away, All Saints, Australia's Got Talent, and Live to Dance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lucas Newland - Digital CV |url=https://brentstreet.com.au/lucas/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Brent Street |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lucas Newland Archives |url=https://dancemagazine.com.au/tag/lucas-newland/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Dance Informa Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> * Cassie Bartho - Choreographer and dancer who has choreographed for Katy Perry, The Masked Singer, Love Island, and J Balvin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CASSIE BARTHO |url=https://www.carnivaldance.com.au/blank-1-1-1-1-3-2-1-1-1 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Carnival Dance |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cassie Bartho Archives |url=https://dancemagazine.com.au/tag/cassie-bartho/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Dance Informa Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> * Jacob Yarr - Hip-hop dancer and actor who appeared in Born to Dance and Step Up. He has won two gold medals at the 'World Hip Hop Championships' while being a part of hip-hop crew 'Royal Family'. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Polley |first=Natalie |date=September 23, 2015 |title=Pukekohe dancer Jacob Yarr stars in Born to Dance |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/72295117/pukekohe-dancer-jacob-yarr-stars-in-born-to-dance |access-date=September 14, 2025 |website=stuff.com}}</ref> * Ryan Sheppard - Dancer and singer who originated the role of Chistery in the Australian tour of Wicked, with roles in The Book of Mormon, and We Will Rock You.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RYAN SHEPPARD |url=https://www.carnivaldance.com.au/blank-1-1-1-1-2 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Carnival Dance |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=T&E Management |url=http://www.tandemanagement.com.au/ryansheppard |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=T&E Management |language=en-US}}</ref> * Sally Dashwood - Tap dancer, choreographer, and performer who has appeared on Dance Academy, The X factor, The Voice, Australia's Got Talent, and So You Think You Can Dance. She is also the artistic director of tap dance group 'Girls On Tap'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sally Dashwood |url=https://opera.org.au/artist/sally-dashwood/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Opera Australia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sally Dashwood |url=https://australiantapdancefestival.com.au/team/sally-dashwood/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Paris Cavanagh - ADF award winning choreographer who had work featured on America's Got Talent. She choreographed for Interscope Records' Hit Me Hard and Soft campaign. She has worked with Jason Derulo, Jessica Mauboy, and Kylie Minogue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paris Cavanagh {{!}} Choreographers |url=https://msaagency.com/paris-cavanagh/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=MSA Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> * Stephen Tannos - Actor, dancer and choreographer known for So You Think You Can Dance, Cats (musical), and Fame (musical).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen Tannos {{!}} FWD MGMT |url=https://fwdmgmt.com.au/talent/stephen-tannos-2/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2019-03-04 |title=Stephen Tannos choreographs for WE.ARE Dance Project |url=https://dancemagazine.com.au/2019/03/stephen-tannos-choreographs-for-we-are-dance-project/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Dance Informa Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> * John Noble - Head of Drama, 1997–2000
== References == <references responsive="1"></references>
== External links ==
* [https://brentstreet.com.au/ Official Website] * [https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Dance-Life/0KLB8ALNX6WNAZQ0Z7AJBV4625 Dance Life on Prime Video] {{authority control}} Category:Australian educational programs Category:Organizations established in 1986 Category:Dance schools Category:Dance schools in Australia Category:Australian tertiary institutions Category:Schools of the performing arts in Australia